About
What Is AcreShield?
AcreShield provides predictive, data-driven, machine-learning, agronomic seed prescription programs that deliver seed brand performance comparisons and recommendations. AcreShield aggregates seed yield data collected from the industry’s most respected, independent research trials. Using this information, AcreShield creates a comprehensive, specific list that ranks the top-performing brands and seed varieties by yield and gross income.
These revolutionary, independent and unique insights provide farmers with the most detailed yield performance information available to help make the best seed selections. Armed with this detailed crop intelligence, farmers can make seed selection decisions with greater confidence than ever before. Farmers also get the benefit of the extra layer of security provided by AcreShield’s yield-based performance protection.
Depending upon the Yield Optimizer selected, AcreShield's yield guarantee is up to $100 per acre to help mitigate yield loss risk.
Billy Rose, Co-Founder & CEO
Chairman and CEO Billy has spent his entire career helping farmers. As a recent college graduate in the 1980s, he helped family farm friends write business plans to grow their operations and reduce debt. This led to him launching Ag1, a company that provided crop insurance, grain marketing, risk management advice and working capital. Ag1 was acquired by DTN, as well as Crop1 Insurance, Inc. acquired by Iowa Farm Bureau.
Now addressing the universal U.S. farming challenge of the Yield Gap, Billy and the AcreShield team used three years of certified independent seed trial plot data to create Yield Optimizer. It guides farmers in selecting the seeds that will perform best on each location. Yield Optimizer helps ensure a profitable yield or provides a performance protection payment.
Theresa Linkletter, Co-Founder & COO
Theresa leverages her extensive background in product management and development to enhance operational efficiency and strategic growth for AcreShield. With more than 20 years of experience, Theresa has successfully launched high-impact products and streamlined product development processes to boost market presence. Dedicated to fostering innovation and building high-performing teams, Theresa drives AcreShield towards achieving its strategic objectives.
Jim Rouse, EVP of Seed Trial Program
Jim has been managing research protocols for agronomic and plant breeding experiments for more than 30 years. This has allowed him to collaborate with farmers, seed producers, research partners and regulatory officials to produce results that deliver profitable crop performance. Jim previously served as the executive director of the Iowa Crop Improvement Association, the official seed certifying agency for Iowa. Jim also led the Iowa Crop Performance Tests which deliver unbiased performance comparisons among hundreds of corn hybrids and soybean varieties across Iowa.
Kevin McNew, Chief Data Officer
Kevin brings 32 years of experience in econometrics, market analysis and advanced statistical modeling to AcreShield. He founded Quantum Hedging where he was the lead for its Market Intelligence Lab and served as the chief economist at Farmers Business Network after it acquired GeoGrain, a market intelligence firm he created. Kevin holds a PhD from North Carolina State University, specializing in economics.
Ryan Budnik, COO of Seed Trial Program
Ryan is a 15-year seed testing veteran with a passion for all things agronomy, especially crop performance testing and yield trial management. He curates the crop performance testing segment of the Iowa Crop Improvement Association and manages a portfolio of private contract research projects. Ryan has a proven track record for integrating cutting-edge technologies like GPS automation, UAV photogrammetry, and advanced data analytics into yield-trialing workflows, ensuring quality and precision.
German Mandrini, Agricultural Data Scientist
German is an agricultural data scientist working at the intersection of agronomy, economics and sustainability. He comes from a family farm and agriculture has guided much of his career. He holds a BS in agronomy, an MS in agricultural economics and a PhD in crop sciences. He has more than 13 years of experience working for different Corteva, Climate Corp and Farmers Business Network. His passion lies in developing advanced data analytics tools that optimize farm decisions and projecting them into future scenarios to enhance profitability and sustainability.
Jay Bottoms, Vice President of Sales
With more than 40 years of experience in agronomy, Jay is passionate about delivering tailored solutions that enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. His expertise spans risk management, yield optimization, energy conservation and environmental stewardship. Jay's commitment to personalized service and his deep knowledge of agronomy make him a trusted advisor to farmers seeking to improve their operations.
Matt Bradshaw, VP of Business Development
Matt grew up on a farm in central Illinois, raising show pigs and beef calves. He has a BS in Agribusiness from Illinois State University. Matt has an extensive background in production agriculture and agricultural sales and more than 15 years of experience in risk management and crop insurance .
Brad Heckathorn, VP of U.S Sales
Brad draws a lifetime of agricultural and financial risk management experience from his account management roles representing the largest of RMA’s approved crop insurance providers, ag banks, and personally from his Ohio family’s bi-centurion grain and livestock operation. The AcreShield opportunity is a career culmination embraced by Heckathorn.
Kyle Kiner, VP of Channel Sales
Kyle grew up on a farm in eastern Iowa, where he developed a strong understanding of agriculture and rural life from an early age. With an extensive background in sales and sales management, Kyle has gained significant expertise in driving business growth and building successful teams. His upbringing on a farm combined with his hands-on sales experience, positions him as a knowledgeable leader in the agriculture and business worlds.